NATO fighter jets were called into action near the borders of the Baltic States to intercept a Russian aircraft that violated flight regulations, as reported by Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence.
According to the ministry, NATO policing aircraft were deployed four times between April 13 and April 19 to identify and intercept Russian planes.
On April 13, jets were sent out to track an IL-20 aircraft flying through international airspace between the Kaliningrad region and back, despite lacking a transponder, flight plan, and radio contact with the Regional Air Traffic Control Centre.
Another incident involved the interception of an AN-26 aircraft by NATO forces, although this aircraft had an active transponder and maintained radio communication, it was operating without a flight plan.
Subsequent interceptions on April 14 and April 15 targeted the same IL-20 aircraft and two SU-30SM jets, respectively, all found to be in violation of flight regulations while traveling to and from Russia.
Further deployments of NATO fighter jets on April 17 were made to intercept the IL-20 aircraft once again, which breached aviation regulations by flying through international airspace without a transponder, filed flight plan, or radio contact with the RSVC.
These incidents occurred in the context of the Russian defense ministry’s acknowledgment that NATO fighter jets had shadowed bombers during a four-hour flight over international waters, following claims of airspace usage by Ukrainian drones targeting Russian oil ports.
Russian security council secretary Sergei Shoigu warned of Russia’s right to self-defense, emphasizing the need for Baltic states to avoid acting against Russia with impunity. This warning, reportedly backed by Putin’s authority, came amidst escalating tensions in the region.